Home > Blog > Episode 2: Thrifting for Fun and Profit

Episode 2: Thrifting for Fun and Profit

Welcome, Fellow Thrifters! This is a series of blogs by the Manitoba Thrift Hunter meant for thrifters to turn their love of thrifting into earning extra money at the same time.

Episode 2: Thrifting for Fun and Profit

Getting Started: What to Buy

So, where do you start? Go with what you know. If your knowledge is in music, clothes, or glassware, start there. You’ll begin with a solid understanding of the product.

Do Your Research

Before heading out to your favourite thrift store, it’s important to research on eBay (or wherever you plan on selling). Look up the items you plan to start with and check the selling prices. Remember, this is what other sellers are asking for their items. But anyone can ask anything they want. What really matters is the sold price.

Focus on:

  • What the item sold for.
  • When it sold.
  • Whether it’s a popular item that people are actually buying.

For example, if an item sold only once in the last month, you may have to wait a while to sell yours. Ask yourself if it’s worth the time and effort to list.

Pricing for Profit

Ideally, aim for a price that gives you a profit margin of 30-50%. This may seem high, but you need to factor in a few things:

  • the price you paid for the item
  • packaging costs
  • eBay fees
  • shipping

Research shipping costs and ensure they’re worked into your pricing. I’ve learned from experience that shipping from Canada to South America and Mexico can be very expensive. On more than one occasion, I lost money because of it. Shipping to Asia and the Middle East can also be costly, so keep a close eye on shipping expenses.

Tip: I generally offer free shipping in Canada and the U.S. to make my listings more attractive to buyers.

Sale of the Week

  • Item: two Corona Extra Beer Lime/Lemon Cutters
  • Paid: $3.99 each
  • Sold: $77.98
  • Shipping: $12.00
  • eBay Fees: $20.00
  • Profit: $39.98

Good luck on your journey!

Avatar photo

Manitoba Thrift Hunter

Meet the Manitoba Thrift Hunter! What started as begrudgingly tagging along on thrift trips with his wife quickly turned into an eight-year adventure of reselling on eBay. Inspired by the show Thrift Hunters, he’s built a side hustle that’s gone from “just for fun” to a full-fledged source of income (and yes, even his wife was impressed). Now, he’s here to share what he's learned from the wins to the mistakes, and his tips to making thrifting both fun and profitable.

Invite me to your inbox

Thrifting tips, finds, and more. No spam, just the good stuff.
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Related posts

    Join the club

    Copyright We are Thrifters 2025 | All Rights Reserved